Sussex Sparkling Wine

Amid the astonishing rise in quality – and popularity – of English sparkling wine, Sussex has been a key driver. The chalk component of the soils of the county’s South Downs provides the perfect environment for the three grape varieties used in Champagne – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – to flourish. Several notable producers grow grapes here, among them Nyetimber, Rathfinny and Wiston Estate, producing fizz that is at once crisp and refreshing while boasting a wonderfully rounded creaminess.